In Vasko v. R.J. Reynolds, Plaintiff attorney Stuart Ratzan told the jury that John Vasko was born in 1941, started smoking at age 12, and smoked one-and-a-half to two packs of Lucky Strikes per day for 52 years, until he died of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).
Topics: Toxic Torts, Products Liability, Vasko v. Reynolds, Engle Progeny, Tobacco Litigation
Koballa v. Philip Morris ended in a mistrial today when the jury reported after Phase 1 that it was unable to reach a verdict.
Topics: Toxic Torts, Products Liability, Koballa v. Philip Morris, Engle Progeny, Tobacco Litigation
After apparently cracking the Engle Code, as we noted last week, four tobacco companies teamed up for another defense verdict today in Arthur Rohr v. R.J. Reynolds. The Rohr verdict represents Tobacco's sixth consecutive win.
Topics: Toxic Torts, Products Liability, Engle Progeny, Rohr v. Reynolds, Tobacco Litigation
Attorney Dennis Pantazis told the jury in closing Phase 1 of Stella Koballa v. R.J. Reynolds "You've seen me get angry and you've seen me get upset...because we believe in our case." Mr. Pantazis asserted that addiction to nicotine was most likely the only cause of Ms. Koballa's injuries, but certainly it was a substantial contributing factor. "She paid someone to put her under hypnosis, not once but twice, and then she tried accupuncture," said Mr. Pantazis. "Does that sound like someone who is in control of her behavior?"
Topics: Toxic Torts, Products Liability, Koballa v. Philip Morris, Engle Progeny, Tobacco Litigation
Closing arguments in Rohr v. R.J. Reynolds phase 2 were completed today in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Topics: Toxic Torts, Products Liability, Engle Progeny, Rohr v. Reynolds, Tobacco Litigation
